Food at the Movies

Liluth
Liluth Posts: 84 Member
edited October 4 in Food and Nutrition
My boyfriend has been itching to go to a movie with me and tonight's the night. We'll probably see "In Time" or "Tower Heist" ;).

Part of the movie going experience for me is having a nice snack to munch on while I watch. The problem is, theater popcorn is hardly good for you.

http://www.cspinet.org/new/200911182.html
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20091119/movie-theater-popcorn-a-calorie-bomb

If I indulged in a bag, even sharing with the boyfriend, I'd about bust my entire daily allotted calories! So I'll be bringing some of my own homemade popcorn, and bottled water in my bag. I might even splurge and buy a box of Mike and Ike, if I can "afford" it.

What do you do when you go the movies? Do you eat from the concession or bring your own goodies?
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Replies

  • lynnmarie60
    lynnmarie60 Posts: 325
    I definitely bring my own goodies; not only for my health but to save cash.

    Things I bring:

    Water (ask for a cup of ice at the concession stand)
    homemade reduced fat popcorn (little bag, about a cup)
    Skinny cow snacks (chocolates)
    gum
  • xBeautifulBreakdown
    xBeautifulBreakdown Posts: 167 Member
    I like to go to the movies alone, I will order a small popcorn without butter and only have them fill it halfway so I don't eat the whole bag. Popcorn is expensive though so I usually only order it when I have Regal coupons for $2 then I don't feel bad for only getting half of a small bag for $6 haha
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    Have you ever gotten kicked out of the theater for doing this?
  • adezeray
    adezeray Posts: 72 Member
    They have a healthy snack pack at AMC that I get it contains dry fruit, granola bar, baked popcorn chips. The popcorn was good, and water I of course do not eat everything. I also think that it's always best to bring a snack for yourself so that you don't fall into that craving while there.
  • asyouseefit
    asyouseefit Posts: 1,265 Member
    I skip dinner (baaaaad) and have pick n mix or popcorn instead! :) I'm lucky enough that where I live movie popcorn is air-popped so the calorie count is still reasonable.
  • nkziv
    nkziv Posts: 161 Member
    I've gotten out of the habit of movie-eating. It's not an integral part of the moviegoing experience for me anymore! It's really not that hard. Just go watch and enjoy. Eat dinner later.
  • _CowgirlUp_
    _CowgirlUp_ Posts: 585 Member
    I don't obsess over this lifestyle change...I don't go very often but when I do, I enjoy the movie, indulge in that horrible popcorn and enjoy every minute of it then the next day I drink a ton of water and get back with the program. It makes it so much more enjoyable.
  • BarbWhite09
    BarbWhite09 Posts: 1,128 Member
    I don't munch on anything at the movies. I don't see any point in wasting calories on that type of food.
  • OSC_ESD
    OSC_ESD Posts: 752 Member
    Ha ! I am a Movie Guru ! I go every week, sooooooo .... I pop my 100 cal kettle korn, take 4 pieces of dove dark chocolate and 1 twizzler ( sometimes 2, depending on my allowance ) and put it all in my purse ! Oh yeah, and 2 bottles of H2O ! :)
  • krysydawn
    krysydawn Posts: 231 Member
    I love to bring my own goodies... But I also love to buy them there. Its so hard.
    I remember one of the last times we went to the movies... Hubby wanted me to
    carry KFC in my purse... I looked at him and said very frankly... "I love you, but I
    refuse to be the fat lady that smells like fried chicken in the movie theater".. lmfao.. :D
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,029 Member
    I always alot calories before I watch a movie. Then I have 2 hotdogs, tray of nachos with cheese, and candy. Oh of course with a diet coke too to save on some calories..........................................
  • momma3sweetgirls
    momma3sweetgirls Posts: 743 Member
    I eat a small popcorn without butter. I don't care if I'm over a bit for the day. I'll drink extra water and maybe exercise a little more. Nah, I probably wouldn't exercise more. I just wouldn't make a habit of eating movie theater popcorn every week.
  • Maryfullofgrace
    Maryfullofgrace Posts: 342 Member
    I've smuggled in... Carrot sticks, apple slices, chocolate raisins, dried apricots - raw almonds - dried cranberries mixed in a little snack size zippie bag. Not all to the same movie, different movies, different times... :wink:

    Back years ago my friend took in an entire grocery bag full of home-popped corn... with two cans of soda in her coat! that was hilarious and huge!
  • sharonsjones
    sharonsjones Posts: 574 Member
    I take my big purse, pop light popcorn @ home and get a bottle of diet coke or water and put it in my purse. I wait to break it out when the lights dim and the movie starts. I havn't been caught yet...
  • yesthistime
    yesthistime Posts: 2,051 Member
    I get the kid's pack. It's awesome and a pretty good $$ deal.
  • mznisaelaine
    mznisaelaine Posts: 2,262 Member
    I carry the biggest coach purse I have and bring my own water, I have raisins, fruit, etc. Bring your own healthy snacks! It's beneficial and saves you money! :)
  • cottonpunk
    cottonpunk Posts: 12 Member
    My theater does not have a policy against carrying in foods. I have walked right in and set an outside drink on the counter while I paid for my tickets and they don't care. It is a Goodrich Quality Theater www.gqti.com Maybe you can find one near you?
  • Liluth
    Liluth Posts: 84 Member
    Have you ever gotten kicked out of the theater for doing this?

    For bringing my own snacks? I've heard that it's frowned upon, but I've never had an usher bust me for having my own ziploc bags. Everything is hidden in my purse when I enter and I take it out when the lights dim. It's what my Mom always did ;).
  • polar135
    polar135 Posts: 319 Member
    +1 for this-
    I definitely bring my own goodies; not only for my health but to save cash.

    Things I bring:

    Water (ask for a cup of ice at the concession stand)
    homemade reduced fat popcorn (little bag, about a cup)
    Skinny cow snacks (chocolates)
    gum
  • gleechick609
    gleechick609 Posts: 544 Member
    I do not bring food in anymore. I look at it as "mindless eating" because I am really not hungry while watching the movie!
  • BigDaddyBRC
    BigDaddyBRC Posts: 2,395 Member
    Whenever I go, with the kids, a date, on my own....always eat something first and take water. Saves a TON of money these days.
  • Liluth
    Liluth Posts: 84 Member
    You know, with a few of you saying you don't eat anything at the theater, I think I might try it tonight. Usually I bring my own snacks so I don't look twice at the concessions but testing the ol' will power tonight will be a nice challenge.
  • jenbit
    jenbit Posts: 4,252 Member
    My movie theater knows me now. So i get the biggest plastic cup and fill it with ice. Its all ineed during the movie. But occasionally Ill get a small pack of twizzlers or gummy bears and split them with the kids. trust me sharing with 2 kids means I usually only get 4 pieces of whatever kinda candy it is.lol:laugh:
  • micls
    micls Posts: 234
    Popcorn is a huge part of the cinema experience for me. in fact, I have plenty of times gone to the cinema for the popcorn and experience without knowing what movie is even in!

    So, for me, I'm not going to forgo this forever. So, I've adjusted. I've changed from a large to a small popcorn and from coke to diet. Not exactly good for me, but better for me and a change I can live with. Yeah, I might go over on my cals, or I might save some from the rest of the day, but what harm.

    Lifestyle change rather than diet means this works for me. Trying to cut it out would simply have me counting down to when the 'diet' was over and I don't want to do that.
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    Have you ever gotten kicked out of the theater for doing this?
    For bringing my own snacks? I've heard that it's frowned upon, but I've never had an usher bust me for having my own ziploc bags. Everything is hidden in my purse when I enter and I take it out when the lights dim. It's what my Mom always did ;).
    Just wondering... I have taken things in but the theater we go to now doesn't care, they will let people walk in with take-out plates! But at the place we used to go to, they would try to see in your purse, and I did see them throw someone out once.
  • adidrea
    adidrea Posts: 275 Member
    I don't usually eat while at the movie theater, but if I do I'll bring something low-cal: Diet soda, baked or kettle-cooked chips, and sugar free candy, sometimes nuts, raisins, or dried fruit.

    I tend to eat mindlessly when I'm watching a movie so for me personally it's better if I don't have anything in my hands! :tongue:
  • Liluth
    Liluth Posts: 84 Member
    Just wondering... I have taken things in but the theater we go to now doesn't care, they will let people walk in with take-out plates! But at the place we used to go to, they would try to see in your purse, and I did see them throw someone out once.

    I think it's really foolish of theaters to punish their customers for bringing in food. If it was a historic theatre and NO concessions were sold to keep the facilities cleaner, I would most certainly understand. But commercial theaters only get on people about food because that's where they make most of their money. Pretty much the entire ticket price goes back to the source. Still, it's better to lose the concession profit than to lose the customer and anyone they might bring with them.
  • dargytaylor
    dargytaylor Posts: 840 Member
    I am going to the movies tonight also! My son actually works at the theatre, and his immediate family can get in for free! He has worked there since last april and I have not taken advantage yet!! stupid i know :huh:
    As far as food, I will be eating dinner first......and my husband I am sure will be getting some popcorn, so I will just nibble a bit of his (not a huge popcorn fan)....and will try not to get a box of candy :)
  • cottonpunk
    cottonpunk Posts: 12 Member
    [/quote]
    But at the place we used to go to, they would try to see in your purse, and I did see them throw someone out once.
    [/quote]

    That stinks....seems a little harsh! Do they have signs up that forbid it? If I don't see a sign, I assume it's okay. :-)
  • nkswans
    nkswans Posts: 469 Member
    I skip dinner (baaaaad) and have pick n mix or popcorn instead! :) I'm lucky enough that where I live movie popcorn is air-popped so the calorie count is still reasonable.

    I do this too! My mom loves movie popcorn so when we go together we will usually just skip dinner and eat the popcorn...I know its bad but oh well.
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